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City Cast Austin’s Guide to Gifting This Season

Posted on December 13, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kelsey Bradshaw

Kelsey Bradshaw

A bunch of colorfully wrapped gifts against a light blue background.

If you’re behind on your holiday shopping list, we’ve got you! (Michiko Tierney/ Getty Images)

It is gifting season and we’ve got some tips for ya! This guide is more advice-focused than what individual items you should buy, OK? Let’s do it:

🎁 Gift an Experience Instead of a Material Item.

We all love stuff, but if you want to be a little eco-friendly or if you just can’t pinpoint the perfect gift for your person, why not give an experience? Austin is practically bursting at the seams with concerts and shows to attend. If that’s not your thing, buy tickets to a sports game or treat someone to a holiday pop-up. You could also always gift a nice meal, too. Not sure where to start? Check out our events page for ideas!

🥾 Give a Repair.

This is one both Mother Nature and your loved one will enjoy! Perhaps your giftee has a worn out pair of cowboy boots that need a trip to the cobbler, or a piece of jewelry that needs cleaning. That’s where you come in – give a boot repair or offer to have something cleaned.

📍 Shop Local.

Toys and electronics and makeup and more from big-box stores can make for a great present, but you know what’s even better? Something from the Austin community! Local markets, including the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and Blue Genie Art Bazaar, are all over town this time of year. Opt for something from a local artist.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar, Consumable Gifts, and the Perfect Present

💰 Donate in Their Honor.

If you have a hard-to-shop-for friend who already has everything, why not donate to their favorite organization in their honor? For example, get the booklover in your life a donation to the Austin Public Library.

👕 Opt for Austin Merch.

Everyone loves merch. Pick up an accessory from your recipient’s favorite Austin establishment. MML Hospitality has a whole online store with items representing spots like Ski Shores, Sammie’s Italian, and Pool Burger. Continental Club’s merch is very cool, and if that doesn’t speak to you, try out the Texas Capitol Gift Shop for something stately.

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